The California Housing Finance Agency announced this week that people who cashed out equity on their home now are eligible for three of the four "Keep Your Home California" programs.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY

? Keep Your Home California is a state-run program funded with $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund. It is designed to help low- and moderate-income people who are unemployed or owe more than their home is worth pay their mortgage.

? There are four individual programs that fall under Keep Your Home California. Eligible homeowners can get up to $50,000 in assistance from one or more of the four programs combined.

? Under the new rules, people who took equity out of their homes will be eligible for the unemployment mortgage assistance, mortgage reinstatement assistance, and transition assistance programs if they meet all the other program requirements. Homeowners who cashed out equity will continue to be ineligible for the principal reduction program.

? When the program first started, homeowners who had tapped the equity in their homes were ineligible for the programs. CalHFA decided to include these homeowners due to the large number of homeowners who were being turned away for assistance.

? Under the program revisions, homeowners who originated mortgages after Jan. 1, 2009 also are eligible for the same three programs. Originally, these borrowers were excluded because they also are excluded under the federal Home Affordable Modification Program, so CalHFA wanted to be consistent with HAMP.

? To qualify for any of the four programs, homeowners must fall below certain income limits, must be living in the home, and cannot own a second home, among other criteria. For additional requirements, visit www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org/eligibility.htm.

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